New downtown Akron fresh-food market sets October opening

CRAIN'S AKRON BUSINESS

Shane Wynn for Crain's

The new Countryside Public Market will be in space adjacent to the Northside Marketplace.

From Crain's Akron Business: The Countryside Public Market in the city's Northside District will evolve in phases over the next 18 months, with the first phase scheduled to open on Oct. 28. Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy is leasing nearly 10,000 square feet of space in the former parking garage of the Northside Lofts for the market, which will feature more than 40 vendors.

Akron's getting a new source of fresh food from local farmers and other producers — the city's anticipated Countryside Public Market.

Knight said it supports the endeavor because it will attract people to the city. Growing the city's population is a chief priority of Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and developers backing the Bowery Project and other residential and mixed-use developments downtown.

"Drawing people out of their homes and into the community is vital to promoting a vibrant public life in Akron and creating the incentives that will keep and attract people to the city," said Kyle Kutuchief, Knight Foundation program director for Akron, in a news release announcing the market. "The Public Food Market will help to advance this goal, providing a place to showcase homegrown talent and connect residents to the city and each other."

The market will take shape in the Northside Lofts' former parking garage, adjacent to the Northside Marketplace, and will feature about 40 vendors, the release said.

The market also will "provide food-assistance programing for families and individuals, giving everyone access to fresh, healthy, local food," Countryside said in the release.

The project has been in the works since at least May, when Northside developer Joel Testa and Countryside first disclosed their plans. Testa is leasing Countryside nearly 10,000 square feet of space for the facility, which he said will complement the lofts and the Northside Marketplace, which is the home of dozens of fledgling retailers.

"This is the final piece in a longtime vision to bring fresh, local foods and opportunities for small vendors and retailers to the downtown Akron market. We are looking forward to the many opportunities that this new partnership can bring as we create a vibrant place to live, work, and play in Downtown Akron," Testa said in the release.

The project is scheduled to evolve in phases over the next 18 months. The first phase will open Oct. 28, according to Countryside. The market will host local farmers and food producers from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday.

In the future, the market will be open multiple days per week, offering fresh local produce, meats, baked goods, candies, cheese, dairy, flowers, herbs, jams, sauces, locally crafted beverages, hand-made kitchenware, morning brunch and a smattering of local artisans' works, Countryside said. It will also be open year-round, thanks to its indoor location.

"The potential here is amazing. I envision this project as a way to support Countryside's long-term viability while expanding our mission deeper into the City of Akron. Food is a catalyst for community building and Countryside is thrilled to be part of the Akron community," Countryside executive director Tracy Emrick said in a statement.

The new market has been a goal of city planners and developers downtown. If the Bowery Project can attract a grocer — as its chief developer Dan DeHoff said he plans to do — the two will substantially increase the food options for a growing number of downtown residents, downtown backers and residents say.